Finland - History, General & Miscellaneous European Political Biography, 1689 - 1916 (Imperial Russia) - History, General & Miscellaneous Europe - Armed Forces - Biography, Imperial Russia - 1881-1917, Japanese History - Meiji Restoration, 1868-1912

Mannerheim: President, Soldier, Spy

Name: Mannerheim: President, Soldier, Spy
Author: Jonathan Clements
ISBN: 9781907822575

by Jonathan Clements

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Overview

"An exemplary and generously illustrated account; it incorporates new historical material, and he describes the journey as if he had been there."—The Times Literary Supplement

Gustaf Mannerheim was one of the greatest figures of the twentieth century. He spent two years undercover in Asia as a spy, escaped the Bolsheviks in 1917, lead the anti-Russian forces in the civil war and later, during Finland's darkest hour, lead the defense of his country against the impossible odds of the Winter War. Mannerheim is a fascinating appraisal of an adventurer and explorer who would go on to forge a new nation.

Synopsis

Baron Gustaf Mannerheim was one of the greatest figures of the twentieth century, and the only man to be decorated by both sides in the Second World War. As a Finnish officer in Russian service, he witnessed the coronation of the last Tsar, and was both reprimanded for foolhardiness and decorated for bravery in the Russo-Japanese War. He spent two years undercover in Asia as an agent in the 'Great Game', posing as a Swedish anthropologist. He crossed China on horseback, stopping en route to teach the 13th Dalai Lama how to shoot with a pistol, and spying on the Japanese navy on his way home. He escaped the Bolsheviks by the skin of his teeth in 1917, arriving in the newly independent Finland just in time to lead the anti-Russian forces in the local revolt and civil war. During Finland's darkest hour, he lead the defence of his country against the impossible odds of the Winter War. This major new life of Gustaf Mannerheim, the first to be published for over a decade, includes new historical material on Mannerheim's time in China.

About the Author, Jonathan Clements

Jonathan Clements (born 9 July 1971) is a British author and scriptwriter. His non-fiction works include biographies of Admiral Togo and Mao. Clements writes a monthly opinion columns for Neo magazine and is also the co-author of encyclopedias of anime and Japanese television dramas. He is the author of two volumes in the Makers of the Modern Series, Prince Saionji: Japan and Wellington Koo: China. In 2000, Clements received the Japan Festival Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Understanding of Japanese Culture